Bunge Açúcar & Bioenergia launches fire prevention and fight campaign

The dry climate of the autumn and winter seasons increases the risk of incidence and spread of accidental fires in forests and crops. To combat the occurrence of fires in the regions where it operates, Bunge Açúcar & Bioenergia is starting an awareness campaign this month aimed at the entire community and its employees.

Under the motto "Prevention is the Best Way", the campaign provides clarification on the preventive measures adopted by the company and guidance on how each person can contribute. The materials include an educational video, the distribution of printed material to schools near the Bunge Açúcar & Bioenergia Plants, activation through social media and advertisements broadcast on local radio.

By adopting harvesting mechanization in 100% of its sugarcane fields, Bunge Açúcar & Bioenergia contributes to the environment, health and safety of the community and plant employees. "In addition to benefits such as reducing emissions and improving air quality, harvesting unburned sugar cane brings greater use of sugar cane from an energy point of view, better quality of raw material for the Industry and reduces production costs", says Gustavo Negreiros, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at the Company.

Bunge has also constantly invested in best practices and control, management and prevention measures so that fire risks are controlled. Among the main initiatives are the monitoring and classification of planting areas on a risk scale according to their proximity to water sources, highways and green areas. Based on this mapping, the company is able to distribute actions with priority to the most vulnerable areas.

Satellite monitoring tools allow detecting signs of heat and informing Brigade teams with precision, the geographic position of the fire source, the direction and speed of the winds and the relative humidity of the air. Observation points are also established in high places with wide visibility to identify the first evidence of fires and begin fighting more quickly.

"Other combat measures are the implementation of firebreaks, which are strips free of vegetation or residue that could fuel the fire, located between crops and preservation areas or operation areas; constant preventive maintenance of agricultural machinery to avoid oil leaks or spark emissions; and the availability of water trucks for all harvest fronts", details Negreiros.

In addition to showing the community the practices that Bunge Açúcar & Bioenergia applies in its daily life to prevent fires, the campaign also aims to raise awareness among the population that everyone is responsible for a safe and healthy environment, with simple, everyday actions. The materials provide tips such as: